Smith had a promising freshman year for the national-champion Huskies during the 2010-11 season, averaging 6.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 25.4 minutes. The former four-star prospect started 33 of UConn’s 41 games.

As a sophomore, Smith’s playing time was cut to just 18.2 minutes per game. In a rotation with Andre Drummond and Alex Oriakhi, Smith started 14 of the Huskies’ 33 games and averaged 4.4 points and 3.4 rebounds.

Smith joins what should be a loaded Rebels team in Las Vegas. UNLV is bringing in a borderline Top 10 recruiting class, and returns leading scorer Mike Moser and several other rotation guys off a 26-9 NCAA tournament team.

Smith’s commitment gives UNLV its second player from Baltimore. St. Frances point guard Daquan Cook signed with the Rebels in November.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Right-hander Kevin Gausman, who seems ticketed for the Orioles’ bullpen to start the year, allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk in 3 2/3 innings in a 4-3 loss to a Tampa Bay Rays’ split squad Tuesday.